Tubing Bender Die sizing question?

[ToyotaJeep]

I am a high school shop teacher and we are getting a model 3 bender. I have enough budget to buy two dies, and we are looking at getting a
1.75" and a 1" die.

I can get from a 3" to a 5.5" in the 1" die

For the bigger one, I can get from a 5.5" to a 7.5"

We are looking at making some go-kart frames and then maybe more dune-buggy/roll bar stuff in the future with the bigger die. The local steel supplier has a fair amount of tubing in those sizes also, which is a factor.

What radius, for each OD would you buy? And why?

Thank you, ROB

[fabcam]

I am a high school shop teacher and we are getting a model 3 bender. I have enough budget to buy two dies, and we are looking at getting a
1.75" and a 1" die.

I can get from a 3" to a 5.5" in the 1" die

For the bigger one, I can get from a 5.5" to a 7.5"

We are looking at making some go-kart frames and then maybe more dune-buggy/roll bar stuff in the future with the bigger die. The local steel supplier has a fair amount of tubing in those sizes also, which is a factor.

What radius, for each OD would you buy? And why?

Thank you, ROB


Use the smallest one you can for the wall thickness you are going to be using. Smaller allows for easier design. Here is a link for the dies and the wall thickness minimums:
http://www.tricktools.com/model_3_bender_dies.htm

Cris

[Todd W]

I've used 1" and 1.75" for the last couple years but soon will be purchasing a 1.5" too as 1.75" is relatively large for inside pieces and even a lot of outside 1.5" will do. Just something to think about.

Awesome teacher :)

-Todd

[Arya Ebrahimi]

I'm very happy with my 3" CLR 1" die and my 5.5" CLR 1.75" die. I believe they are the tightest radiuses you can get, and I don't really have any regrets. The only time I've wished I had a bigger radius was when trying to replicate a specific piece of tubing on my uncle's Lotus 7, but there are so many radii available, it would have been a crapshoot anyway.

[krugford]

I've got a 2 inch 6.5 radius and a 1.25 inch 5.5 radius. I prefer the 2 inch over the 1.75 for various reasons, but I have been thinking about the 1.5 inch 5.5 die as well.

[fj40forlife]

I like 5.5 I use 1 1/2 and 5.5 1 3/4

[RTA]

I have a 1 3/4" w/ 6" radius. With the same die you can bend a piece of 1 3/4". Then use a band saw to cut in half to use as a sleeve inside the die. Another for the straight side. Then use the two to sleeve down the die's and bend 1 1/2" tube also. (If you get what I mean)

That saved me from buying 2 dies.

[fabcam]

I have a 1 3/4" w/ 6" radius. With the same die you can bend a piece of 1 3/4". Then use a band saw to cut in half to use as a sleeve inside the die. Another for the straight side. Then use the two to sleeve down the die's and bend 1 1/2" tube also. (If you get what I mean)

That saved me from buying 2 dies.


What bender are you doing this in?

[ROXROES]

I have a 1 3/4" w/ 6" radius. With the same die you can bend a piece of 1 3/4". Then use a band saw to cut in half to use as a sleeve inside the die. Another for the straight side. Then use the two to sleeve down the die's and bend 1 1/2" tube also. (If you get what I mean)

That saved me from buying 2 dies.

Clever! Might have to try this, did you put any tabs or anything on the pieces so they wouldn't slide with the tube?

ToyotaJeep, one other thing to consider is the degree of bend capability of the die. I'm very glad I paid extra and got the 240* die, so you can expand your capabilites so to say.

[ToyotaJeep]

I think I am going to go towards the tighter radius, and watch the $ and get a pipe die as well. The kids like to build stuff and pipe is pretty cheap to learn on.

That way I can get three dies.

Thank you gentlemen, ROB

[RTA]

What bender are you doing this in?

Pro Tools

[RTA]

Clever! Might have to try this, did you put any tabs or anything on the pieces so they wouldn't slide with the tube?

ToyotaJeep, one other thing to consider is the degree of bend capability of the die. I'm very glad I paid extra and got the 240* die, so you can expand your capabilites so to say.

No just hold them in place as you start.

[supervert]

i do the same on my model3 1-1/2x5.5r die and have a piece of .120 sliced to bend 1-1/4, been doin it for a couple of years and it works fine:smokin:

[Twisted Minis]

I have a 1"x3"CLR die, and its perfect for go karts, minibikes, etc.

[vintagespeed]

i do the same on my model3 1-1/2x5.5r die and have a piece of .120 sliced to bend 1-1/4, been doin it for a couple of years and it works fine:smokin:

yes, i've brought this thread back from the dead. :flipoff2:

i need to do a couple simple bends in a piece of 1.25 tubing and all i've got is a 1.5" 6"R die. so i've been thinking i could sleeve it.

do you have pics of your sleeves? i'm just wondering how you secure the sleeve to the round die? i was thinking about adding a couple tabs to the ends of the sleeve to hold it in place while turning?

thanks!

[tim_zr2]

Sleeving a die with a bent piece of tube is a great idea. I'll have to give that a shot on my 1.75" die.

I'll probably tack on a couple tabs just so the tube will stay lined up. May have to smooth out the inside of the tube a little bit too, but shouldn't be a problem.

-Tim

[vintagespeed]

took the advice of the PBB and built me up some sleeves. split a 180* of 1.5 x .120 tubing and added a weld bead to the end so that the sleeve can't rotate, did the same on a follower sleeve.

worked perfectly and saved the cost of a die-set for 4 bends.

thanks again PBB! :beer: